חלק ב — תורה 67

7. This is also the concept of a eulogy for the passing of the tzaddik. This is because Bereishit is a eulogy for Noach—i.e., the preceding teaching on Bereishit is a eulogy for the passing of the tzaddik, who is the concept of Noach. It speaks of the concept of concealment, the disappearance of the Jewish people’s splendor—i.e., that the tzaddik, who is the Jewish people’s splendor, is removed and concealed.

Now see, the tzaddik who passed away loses nothing on account of his being concealed and removed. For even though he becomes concealed and removed from here, he is great and splendid there, in the World to Come, the concept of “Noach walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). But it is a very great pity on the orphaned generation that remains behind and on the offspring, i.e., the children who remain behind. Of them it is said, as if lamenting: “These are the offspring of Noach” (ibid.). It is like one who laments, saying: “These are the offspring and the children of the tzaddik”—the concept of Noach—“who has passed away, and these are the offspring, the orphans who remain behind.”